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Most homeschooling families will celebrate the same as everyone else. For the more patriotic-minded, some will explore the historical background of July 4th, while some will actually get to go to museums within their city or historical sites in the nation that relate to our country’s beginnings. Above all these, we hope that all homeschoolers have learned why July 4, 1776 is called “Independence Day” and which day the Declaration of Independence was really signed. Come read the document that set our country free – here and take the Declaration Quiz.

Declaration of Independence

This weekend is a great time to get out and have some fun with family, friends, neighbors, and even acquaintances such as your town’s immigrants and international students. These people, as well as new citizens and refugees, are usually quite curious about American traditions and holidays. Ask them how their country’s independence is celebrated and what the colors and symbols on their flag mean. And while you’re at it, why don’t you give them a reason to enjoy their stay while being away from their homeland? Invite them to watch the parade, go to a cookout, and especially to watch the fireworks – Almost every town in America will have them!

Naturalization Cake

For the outgoing homeschoolers, we might also be more involved in this holiday than most students. We enjoy soaking up the knowledge, organizing events, performing in front of hundreds, and creating new ways to have fun. Did your home school co-op get together this weekend? Did you lead a game, recreate an ancestor’s special recipe, or visit some place new? Here’s some trivia: Did you know that one of Austin’s homeschool families not only owns a fireworks business but specially makes each firework and sets up shows? Visit Starlight Fireworks and give ’em a try!

Fireworks in Austin

Here in the Austin Metro, there will be LOTS of 4th of July parades. Some start the day before, but there are still plenty to be experienced on the 4th. There will also be tons of Fourth of July fun – some will be of the more traditional type, horseshoe tossing, 3-legged racing, and eating contests, while others will be more modern like the bouncy houses, splash pads, and movies. All of the festivities include loads of both traditionally American and separately Texan food, as well as plenty of patriotic music! Can you name the three most popular Independence Day songs you’ll hear this weekend? What are three other traditional patriotic songs?

Remember, our forefathers and military went through a lot of hullaballoo to gain our country’s freedom, so thank a military service person, thank a veteran! Be thankful today, have fun, and be safe. Check out the day’s line-up here: Austin 4th of July Events.

Note: Not all links used in this article are the views of atxhomeschool.com, but rather are used as means to research the topics indicated.

Tomorrow best friends Alexandra Garcia and Joshua Germenis, two former English 5 students, exchange their vows. Bless you both for your commitment to the LORD and His plan for marriage. To your peers, you are an example; to us moms, you are our hope.

The only thing better than a homeschool graduation is a homeschool wedding. For those just starting their homeschool journey, these should be attended as often as possible. For us moms already in the trenches, these are nothing less than a kiss on the cheek from Jesus Himself.

For the uninitiated, however, these events are bound to be odd. It would certainly be helpful to know what you are getting into ahead of time, so you can mentally prepare. Without any further ado, you might be at a homeschool wedding if:

The decorations, while elegant and thoughtful, are always homemade. Envision an assembly line of moms and…

Have you ever been to the Austin Rodeo? Did any of you brave the cold to attend the Cowboy Breakfast this morning?

It’s full of events to fit everyone’s style: music, contests, ranch animals galore, not to mention the good ol’ hometown carnival an’ cookin’! This year it’ll be March 14-28, 2015 at the Travis County Expo Center, 9100 Decker Lake Road, Austin, TX 78724. It’s even gonna be on t.v., well, YouTube that is, on “RA TV” – Rodeo Austin TV, so you don’t have to miss a thing. There are videos there to check out from last too.

Willie Nelson & Family perform for Rodeo Austin 2015.

Since we’re in the Live Music Capital of the World, let’s start with the Live Music, in order of appearance. Austin Rodeo will have main stage performances by:

Your teenager will smile too while creating their own app using their own laptop or other media device.

Have you ever wanted to do something on your media device only to learn that hasn’t been invented yet or worse yet, that it just isn’t in your budget?

Well now you’ll have the opportunity to have an expert walk you through the steps of simple coding to get one on your own computer or device – FREE! One of the best things about this is that you can say that you made it yourself, well maybe your computer nerd son or daughter will help you ;-). This is the beauty of it all – getting to spend time with your child, soaking up the awesomeness of using an open-standard platform called Bluemix, and exploring your child’s potential as an up-and-coming Programmer or Developer. Continue reading “Kids: Create Your Own App!”

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Care for the Kids in the Car –

Summers in Texas can get extremely HOT and when someone’s left in a car without a/c, ew baby, it can kill ’em – literally! Austin APD has a wonderful blog they’ve posted that lists the top hot car safety tips for preventing heat exhaustion and death of children, the disabled, and the elderly by being left in hot cars. Continue reading “Hot Days, Hot Kids”

This is a loaded question. There are many factors in selecting the perfect curriculum for your family: ages, special needs, technology availability and experience, finances, space, schedules, homeschool experience.. However you choose to school your children, do it with recommendations, much consideration and discussion (even with the children), planning, and a good attitude. There are tons of choices out there, which can be good or bad. Make your informed decision with the help of veteran homeschool families. They can help you close the gap on the mountain before you and let you grow in the meadow you see that appears most enjoyable. After you’ve come to the basic conclusions based on all the factors at play, jump in and go for it, knowing that those with experience are ready to stand with you (and let them – your sanity will thank you).